It’s been well over two weeks since Artemi Panarin was leveled by false allegation and need a leave of absence to deal with it. The Rangers best player rejoined is team in Boston and has been practicing. Head coach David Quinn said yesterday that The Breadman is a game-time decision.
His teammates seem to feel otherwise.
Rangers: 10-12-3 (23 pts)
Bruins: 14-6-4 (32 pts)
(1:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG+)
Rangers vs Bruins: Artemi Panarin expected to go
Panarin last played on February 20th and has missed the last 9 games since dealing with fallout from false allegations from a former KHL coach. It was a 4-1 win against the Capitals where he picked up two assists.
His center, Ryan Strome picked up a goal in that contest and sounded thrilled to get his partner back. “It felt good to have him out there,” Strome said yesterday. “His infectious energy – a little jolt to the group – just his smile – the curls going flowing out there – it looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.”
Strome went on and said, “hopefully he’s ready to go and we get the two points.” He finished by saying if anyone can come off a long layoff and produce it would be Panarin.
Keith Kinkaid get the start
The Rangers desperately need good goaltending and Igor Shesterkin is still day-to-day with a mild groin strain. Unfortunately, Alexandar Georgiev has struggled most of the season and has allowed seven goals on his last 20 shots. The result is being pulled twice in his last two starts and losses.
Keith Kinkaid will get the nod today and has beed good but doesn’t look like he can steal a win against the Bruins. That means the Rangers need to play a full 60 minutes with a focus on defense in order to break this three game losing streak.
Pre Game Notes
- All-Time vs Bruins: 260-296-97-4 (150-126-55-1 at home; 110-170-42-3 on the road)
- Keith Kinkaid – 3 GP, 1-0-0, 1.80 GAA, .939 SV% – Kinkaid stopped 39 of 40 shots and earned a win on Mar. 29, 2016 vs. Boston as a member of the New Jersey Devils, and he has stopped 62 of 66 shots in three career appearances (one start) against the Bruins.
- Mika Zibanejad – 34 GP, 12-5-17 – Zibanejad’s 12 goals against the Bruins are tied for the most he has registered against one opponent in his NHL career.
- Artemi Panarin – 14 GP, 3-9-12 – Panarin has tallied an assist/point in four of his last five games against Boston (five assists), and he has also notched a point in six of his last eight games against the Bruins (one goal, six assists).
- New York has held its opponent to 30 shots on goal or fewer in each of the last four games and in 16 of 25 games this season.
- The Rangers rank fourth in the NHL in takeaways (194) and lead the NHL in takeaways per 60 minutes (7.68) this season.
- New York has posted a 3-0-1 record in games played on a Saturday this season, as well as a 2-1-0 record in afternoon games.
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